Thought for the Week
Today is Memorial Day in my country, a day when, like many other nations, we express our gratitude for those who’ve given their lives defending us. Traditionally, of course, this means those who died in battle.
And indeed it should.
But there are other kinds of heroes and other kinds of battles, as well. There are many ways of losing one’s life in defense of others. Unnumbered thousands of fire fighters and rescue workers have died saving people. So have police officers, teachers, missionaries, volunteers. So have health workers who’ve died fighting COVID 19, cholera, SARS, and ebola. They knew the risks and yet they risked everything.
So let us honor them all.
And finally, what better way to honor them than to ask ourselves, “Would I do the same?” and then to so align our values and courage as to be able to answer, “Yes”…
If that time should ever come.
φ
“My father told me once that the most important thing every man should know is what he would die for.” ~Tana French
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” ~C.S. Lewis
“Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” ~Brodi Ashton
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien
“Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.” ~Mitch Albom
“Courage is…when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” ~Harper Lee
I served in the Navy during Vietnam. I saw the after effects of the war in the Philippines Hospital. I will never forget what those men went through. Freedom cost more than most understand. Tell people about Jesus while you can.
<3
Happy Memorial Day, Mitch. Nice post.
Thank you, Iman.
Heroes come in many shades. I stand with you in honoring those who have given their lives for our country, for the world. We will forever remember them in our hearts not just this day, but all days to come. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute. Thank you heroes.
Thank you, Miss Gray, and amen.
Indeed, everyone who has lost their lives to save others ought to be remembered and honored on Memorial Day for giving the greatest sacrifice. Yet, does the world acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died on the Cross to save the world?
Speaking of courage, what of those who risk their lives to share the Gospel? Even more so, what of the Christians who have been martyred for their faith? Especially those who have died because of their greater service to share the Gospel so that souls may be saved.
Remembering my mother’s three younger brothers who lost their lives during WWII. Their losses shadowed my childhood. Now I use words to remember them, to make sure they aren’t forgotten. Dale R. Wilson, Daniel S. Wilson, C. Junior Wilson
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cora
Absolutely, Mitch. Thank you for this post.
My privilege, Melissa.
Amor, compaixão, solidariedade
Abraço grande e fraterno
Grazie, Gustavo.
Great post! You know, when you live a long as I have, I often think that it takes courage to get out of bed in the morning. But then I have to remember that God’s got my back in all circumstances.
Two truths in one. (May I ask your name, btw?)
Happy Memorial day per tutti gli uomini e le donne che hanno dato la vita per gli altri, mi piacerebbe un mondo di eroi per il bene, soprattutto saranno eroi coloro che riusciranno a fermare le guerre.🙏
Cosi sia, Paola!
🙏♥️
I admire that the west, specifically your country has this tradition of honoring these brave men and women.
Do we wish happy memorial day? Another question, should it be happy?
There’s no official saying, Iba. But, yes, many people do say Happy Memorial Day.
i been pray for cora
I’ve heard different versions of this in different contexts: It takes more courage to do something that scares you.
Yes, and it’s true, however it’s stated, Kara.
Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. – John Wayne
Yep!
Great post
Thanks, L.G.
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/memorial-thanks.jpg
Thanks Mitch, your post was an inspiring addition to my Memorial Day.
The honor’s mine, Don (or do you prefer Dirt?).
Great question. Most people still refer to me by my college nickname “Dirt.” Please shovel away!
Will do, Dirt. ;>)
Mitch, not to prolong this dialogue, but I should add that most people (other than my wife of forty-five years) agree that I have “cleaned-up” my act since that time.
;>)
❤️
@catsartpics where are you cora can you redo the counting
Love this post.. ty
My privilege, Mae.
Indeed hero’s come in many stripes, thanks of the reminder Mitch.
My privilege, Randy.
Some would often show courage, despite the size
This post gave me the feeling of being a human.
Hope I would be helpful to this world in some ways.
Thank you for sharing!❤️
My pleasure, Loku.
Thank you for an inspiring post, Mitch. 💖
My privilege, Sandy.
Love this post and the quotes, Mitch.
Wonderful, Mitch! Thanks!
My privilege, Maria.
Courage motivated by love is what Christ did on the cross. Christians know John 3:16 by heart. But do we know I John 3:16? – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Amen.
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